Accessibility

Features for All Visitors

The Museum of Science offers a wealth of accessibility features for all of our visitors. Look here for parking and public transportation options, additional services such as sighted guide tours and ASL interpreters, and a list of accessible offerings throughout the Museum.

A Place for Everyone

The vision of the Museum of Science is one where everyone can participate equally in the excitement of science and technology learning. Barriers to access, whether caused by finances, culture, language, education, or ability, can inhibit exploration. The Museum is intent on breaking down these barriers while creating relationships with new audiences.

Please note that requests for interpreters and sighted guides should be made at least two weeks prior to your visit.

Transportation

Parking and Entrance

On each level, spaces near the elevator are designated for visitors with disabilities.

Parking is sometimes allowed in the Museum driveway when designated spots in the garage are occupied.

The ground level of the garage has a height clearance of 13’ 9”. Ramps to upper levels have a clearance of 7’ 4”.

Public Transportation

The Museum is 200 yards away from the MBTA Science Park station (on the Lechmere Green Line).

An elevator provides wheelchair access to the Science Park station and platforms.

For more information about public transportation access, call the MBTA's Customer Support Line at 617-222-3200 / 617-222-5146 (TTY) or visit the MBTA's accessible services page.

Additional Services

Assistive Listening System

The Museum of Science is equipped with an assistive listening system to assist visitors with hearing loss. This system amplifies the presentations at all of the Museum’s stages and theaters. Visitors can borrow a receiver and headset, or neck loop, at the Information Desk in the lobby. A form of ID must be provided to borrow equipment.

The receivers work in the following locations:

Mugar Omni Theater

Charles Hayden Planetarium

Cahners Theater

Shapiro Family Science Live! Stage

Gordon Current Science & Technology Center Stage

Theater of Electricity

If you have questions, or would like more information about this system, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at accessibility@mos.org or 617-589-3102.

Sighted Guide Tours

Museum personnel trained as sighted guides are available to enhance the Museum experience of visitors who are blind or low-vision.

For reservations, please call 617-589-3102 two weeks in advance.

ASL Interpreters

ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation often provides the most effective communication for people who are deaf. An interpreter can be arranged with at least two weeks' notice, based on availability. Please call 617-589-3102.

TTY

TTY users can contact the Museum at 617-589-0417.

Mugar Omni Theater

The following options are available for select IMAX films:

Rear window captioning - Temporarily unavailable. We are working to restore captioning and apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact accessibility@mos.org with any questions.

Amplified narration

Audio description

Foreign language translations

Show scripts

Receivers and headsets for assistive listening (amplified audio) and audio description (for visitors who are blind or low-vision) are available at the Information Desk in the lobby. A form of ID must be provided to borrow equipment. Reflectors for captioning are available from ushers at the theater entrance 15 minutes before showtime. For quicker service, make a request at the Museum box office when purchasing or picking up tickets. Wheelchair accessible seating is located at the top of the theater.

Planetarium

An assistive listening (amplified audio) system is available for all shows. The receivers and headsets are available at the Information Desk in the lobby. Scripts are available for select shows. Captioning available for select shows. Planetarium staff will provide Braille constellation maps and tactile pictures on request. Wheelchair accessible seating is located throughout the Planetarium. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation can be arranged with a minimum of two weeks’ notice, based on availability. Please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 617-589-3102 or accessibility@mos.org to arrange an ASL interpreter.

Visitor Guide

Available in the Museum lobby, the map / guide (PDF) contains a floor plan. A version of this guide is also available in several foreign languages and at the Information Desk.

Mobility

The Museum has ten adult-sized manual wheelchairs, two pediatric wheelchairs, two bariatric wheelchairs, seven strollers, and five electric scooters that guests may borrow for free. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

To sign out a wheelchair, stroller, or scooter, please speak to an information specialist at the Information Desk in the lobby. A form of ID must be provided to borrow equipment.

Food Allergies

Portable Defibrillators

Several defibrillators are located throughout the Museum of Science. Security personnel have been trained in their use.

Parking

The Museum's on-site garage provides hourly parking for approximately 850 cars on a first-come, first-served basis. Museum members receive a discount. Parking is available for visitors with disabilities. Height clearance for the entrance level of the garage is 13’ 9”. Clearance to access floors above the entrance level is 7'4". The entrance level of the garage can accommodate wheelchair lift vans. The garage has an elevator.

Find Accessible Museum Offerings

Use the filters to display Museum offerings that meet your access needs. You may narrow results down to a specific offering type or leave it at "any". Select the accessibility enhancements you are interested in. You may select multiple accessibility enhancements by pressing "Ctrl" while clicking the item. Click "Filter" for results.